Week in Fairfax

At approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, officers responded to the sound of gun shots in the 9300 block of Tovito Drive. An investigation revealed a 17-year-old boy was approached by four individuals known to him. They demanded his cell phone. A fifth suspect remained in a vehicle. The 17-year-old complied and was not injured. The five robbery suspects then confronted another 17-year-old boy, also known to them. During this altercation, the 17-year-old produced a handgun and fired it several times wounding one of the five individuals. All five fled the scene. One of the five, an 18-year-old young man, went to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

After an investigation, the 17-year-old, who allegedly fired the weapon, was arrested without incident, transported to the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center, and charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The investigation into the robbery continues.

Countywide Transit Network Study

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is conducting the Countywide Transit Network Study to determine the type of transit systems needed to accommodate forecasted growth throughout the county over the next several decades. The study has developed a proposed concept plan for where Metrorail should be extended, where light-rail systems are appropriate, and where dedicated lanes that allow buses to move faster could go. The study will also recommend how the system can be phased in and funded over time.

The public is invited to participate in the study’s third public meeting and workshop to discuss the proposed High Quality Transit Network (HQTN) concept. It’s slated for Wednesday, July 10, in rooms 4 and 5 of the Fairfax County Government Center. There’ll be an open-house format from 6-9 p.m., with a 20-minute presentation at 7 p.m.

The public meeting will present preliminary recommendations for the HQTN corridors and describe the network’s benefits for the county and its residents. For more information, see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/2050transitstudy and join the conversation online via the IdeaScale discussion board at www.fairfaxcountydot.ideascale.com/. The next steps in the study will be to respond to the commentary received on the proposed concept, consider and incorporate potential revisions and develop final study recommendations this fall.

Chick-fil-A Seeks People to Dress as Cows

On Tuesday, July 2, at George Mason University’s field house, the Northern Virginia Chick-fil-A restaurants will attempt to break the world record for the largest number of people dressed as cows. As part of the world record attempt that begins at 10 a.m., the restaurants are asking all participants to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the Capital Area Food Bank.

The official count will begin at 11 a.m. To be “counted” as a cow, each participant must wear a one- or two-piece cow suit with a headpiece or decorated hood, plus a tail. All shoes must be black or white to match the cow suit. For participants interested in decorating a pre-approved costume, Chick-fil-A is providing one-piece cow suits at local restaurants while supplies last.

Chick-fil-A will also offer door prizes and giveaways at the event. The first 500 participants to arrive at the Patriot Center will receive a mini plush cow. If the record is broken, Chick-fil-A will randomly select 10 winners to receive one Chick-fil-A sandwich meal per week for a year (52 meals total).

Photographers, a deejay and children’s activities will be part of the fun. The field house is at 4501 University Drive in Fairfax.